Storage attachment for deck railing

ABSTRACT

A storage shed for attaching to the railing at the edge of a deck, such shed having an enclosure assembly mounted on the deck railing while being held in place by doors. The shed preserves deck floor space by hanging principally within and on the outside of the deck railing, and provides a stable storage container that may securely hold a variety of items. The shed can be finished to match the deck or the building to which the deck is attached. A plurality of shelves, hooks, drawers, pegboard, hangers, and partitions within the shed can be arranged for convenient storage of a variety of items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to storage cabinets. Inparticular, the present invention relates to a storage cabinet that canbe attached to a deck railing.

[0003] 2. Background of the Prior Art

[0004] Storage of gardening tools, patio items, and pool equipment, suchas flowerpots, potting tools, lawn sprinklers, barbeque tools andsupplies, etc. has been a long existing problem. Since exposure tosunlight and weather elements has an adverse effect on such equipment,it is preferable to store them in an enclosure to improve theirlifespan. Additionally, keeping such items neatly put away where theycan be readily located and retrieved when one wishes to use them isgenerally desirable for convenience. Still further, providing a securelocation where such items may be kept is likewise desirable. Typically,such items are stored in a garage, basement, or shed located somedistance from where the items are put into use. It is thereforedesirable to store such items in an easily accessible enclosed containerthat is located near where the items will be used.

[0005] Many storage containers for gardening equipment and barbecuesupplies are short, trunklike enclosures without compartments in whichsuch tools and equipment are haphazardly stored. Tall items, such asbrooms and rakes do not fit easily in such containers. Items that aremeant to be stored hanging cannot be appropriately accommodated.Likewise, many such storage containers are of limited stability andeasily moved, toppled, or damaged. Moreover, even when such storagecontainers are located on a patio deck for ease of access, they take upa fair amount of floor space, which is generally unfavored.

[0006] The need for additional useful space in limited areas is wellknown. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,744,645 to Hochman discloses anauxiliary shelf for attachment to an existing shelf to increase storageand display space. U.S. Pat. No. 645,124 to Plumb discloses a provisionbox that is designed to be hung outside a window for storage of items.U.S. Pat. No. 1,280,109 to Silverton discloses a refrigerator that isdesigned to be hung outside a window for storage of chilled items. U.S.Pat. No. 1,068,391 to Jensen and U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,715 to Owen bothdisclose brackets that can be hung from a railing, such as can be foundsurrounding a patio deck. None of the references, however, disclose astorage shed that can be installed on the railing around a deck and thatprovides easy and convenient access to stored items.

[0007] From the foregoing, it is apparent that there is a need for astorage attachment that can be fitted to a deck railing so as tominimize encroachment on useable deck space, and that provides forsecure storage of a variety of items, for example, garden tools, patioitems, pool equipment, and the like, and which is cost effective andeasy to install but of greater stability than prior known storagecontainers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a solution to the above and otherproblems by enabling a simply designed, easy to construct storage shedthat provides easy access to frequently used items while preserving deckfloor space.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a storageshed that fits most deck railings. It is a related object of the presentinvention to provide a storage shed that is attached to the deckrailing. It is a further related object of the present invention toprovide a storage shed that incorporates the deck railing into theinternal shelving.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide astorage shed that is appropriately sized to accommodate patio, garden,and pool items.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide astorage shed that complements the existing finish of the deck.

[0012] This invention relates to a novel storage shed that can beattached to the railing at the edge of a deck. The shed hangs on thedeck railing and incorporates the deck rail cap as a stationary shelfwithin the shed. Once installed on the deck railing, doors are fastenedto the front face of the shed to aid in preventing the shed from fallingoff the deck railing.

[0013] The storage shed disclosed herein offers adjustable shelving,customizable compartmentation, and durable storage to the purchasingpublic. Such shed may be made from a variety of materials, for example,wood, plastic, or metal to fit framing applications and strengthrequirements. Moreover, such storage shed may be finished to match thedeck on which it is installed or the structure to which the deck isattached. The invention enables a storage shed for attachment to a deckrailing that can be mass-produced and sold for a reasonable price that,in fact, can be made or put in place by any skilled or semi-skilledperson.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of thepresent invention are considered in more detail, in relation to thefollowing description of embodiments thereof shown in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

[0015]FIG. 1 shows an illustration of a storage shed in perspectiveaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIGS. 2a and 2 b show an exploded view of a portion of the storageshed of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 3 shows a rear perspective illustration of the storage shedof FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIGS. 4a, 4 b, and 4 c show a perspective illustration of a topportion of the storage shed of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0019]FIG. 5 shows a cutaway illustration of the storage shed of FIG. 1,prior to installation;

[0020]FIG. 6 shows the storage shed of FIG. 5 in an installed position,according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 7 shows an illustration of an exploded view of a portion ofthe storage shed of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0022]FIG. 8 shows an illustration of a portion of the storage shed ofFIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 9 shows a bottom perspective illustration of a portion of thestorage shed of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention; and

[0024]FIG. 10 shows a perspective illustration of the storage shed ofFIG. 1, partially exploded, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The invention summarized above and defined by the enumeratedclaims may be better understood by referring to the followingdescription, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference numbers are used for like parts. Thisdescription of an embodiment, set out below to enable one to build anduse an implementation of the invention, is not intended to limit theenumerated claims, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Thoseskilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use theconception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifyingor designing other methods and systems for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should alsorealize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spiritand scope of the invention in its broadest form.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, a shed 10 according to the present inventionis shown attached to a deck railing 13. The deck railing 13 is generallycomprised of a top rail 16, bottom rail 19, railing posts 21, andbalusters 24. Top rail 16 is usually covered by rail cap 27substantially perpendicular to top rail 16. Rail cap 27 may be astandard 2×6 or 2×4 piece of lumber and is ordinarily aligned over toprail 16 such that top rail 16 is centered under rail cap 27 or top rail16 is positioned toward the deck side of rail cap 27. Railingconstruction is generally known in the art.

[0027]FIG. 2a shows a portion of shed 10. Left side panel 30 is attachedto bottom panel 33 and center support 36. In a preferred embodiment,short dowels, such as 39, are used to align bottom panel 33 and centersupport 36 with left side panel 30. As is conventional in the art, suchdowels 39 may be attached using a suitable adhesive, such as wood glueand the like. Bottom panel 33 and center support 36 are firmly attachedto left side panel 30 using suitable fasteners, such as a plurality ofscrews 42.

[0028] Left side panel 30 presents an opening 45, sized and configuredto enable panel 30 to fit snugly on rail cap 27 and against top rail 16,as described in greater detail below.

[0029] Center support 36 is selectively provided depending on the sizeof rail cap 27. If rail cap 27 comprises a 2×6 board, then a smallercenter support 36 is necessary than if rail cap 27 comprises a 2×4board. In use, center support 36 is juxtaposed to rail cap 27 to form ashelf within shed 10, as explained in greater detail below.

[0030] Right side panel 48 is similarly attached to bottom panel 33 andcenter support 36 using dowels 39, adhesive, and fasteners 42, as shownin FIG. 2b. Right side panel 48 also presents an opening 51, sized andconfigured to enable panel 48 to fit snugly on rail cap 27 and againsttop rail 16.

[0031]FIG. 3 shows a rear perspective illustration of storage shed 10with back panel 54 in place. Back panel 54 is attached to left sidepanel 30, right side panel 48, bottom panel 33, and center support 36using a plurality of fasteners 42. Back panel 54 may comprise a singlepiece or a plurality of pieces fastened together.

[0032] In one embodiment, back gable 57 is separately attached to backpanel 54 using a flat plate 60 and a plurality of suitable fasteners, asshown in FIG. 4a. Wide-angled brackets 63, 68 are attached to an innersurface of left and right side panels 30, 48, respectively.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4b, a gable door edge piece 71 is attached to aninterior surface of front gable 74 using suitable fasteners, such that aportion of the door edge piece 71 extends below a lower edge of thefront gable 74. Right-angled brackets 77, 78 are also attached to aninterior surface of front gable 74 using suitable fasteners. In apreferred embodiment, short dowels, such as 39, are used to align frontgable 74 with left and right side panels 30, 48. As is conventional inthe art, such dowels 39 may be attached using a suitable adhesive, suchas wood glue and the like. As shown in FIG. 4c, front gable 74 isattached to left and right side panels 30, 48. A first right-angledbracket 77 is secured to an interior surface of left side panel 30 and asecond right-angled bracket 78 is secured to an interior surface ofright side panel 48, using suitable fasteners.

[0034]FIG. 5 shows a shed enclosure assembly, indicated generally as 80.Enclosure assembly 80 comprises left side panel 30, right side panel 48,bottom panel 33, back panel 54, back gable 57 (not shown), front gable74, and roof panels 83, 84. Roof panels 83, 84 are attached to backgable 57 and front gable 74 using suitable fasteners. Roof panel 83 isalso attached to wide-angled bracket 63 interiorly of enclosure assembly80 and roof panel 84 is similarly attached to wide-angled bracket 68interiorly of enclosure assembly 80. In a preferred embodiment, the peak87 between roof panels 83, 84 can be sealed using caulk or othersuitable sealant.

[0035] Once the shed enclosure assembly 80 is complete, such enclosureassembly 80 can be positioned on the deck railing 13 as illustrated inFIG. 6. Openings 45, 51 (FIGS. 2a and 2 b) envelope rail cap 27 and toprail 16. Enclosure assembly 80 should be positioned near a railing post21 to ensure structural stability. In a preferred embodiment, enclosureassembly 80 should be placed within approximately 12 inches of railingpost 21. Prior to positioning enclosure assembly 80, several balusters24 should be removed along the section of deck railing 13 selected forthe location of such enclosure assembly 80. FIG. 6 shows the shedenclosure assembly 80 installed on deck railing 13. Enclosure assembly80 may be sized so that when it is installed on railing 13, bottom panel33 may rest on bottom rail 19. Alternately, enclosure assembly 80 may besized so that when installed, bottom panel 33 is positioned near andabove bottom rail 19. In some embodiments, such as deck constructionswhere bottom rail 19 is not present, bottom panel 33 may be positionednear and above the deck, or alternately may be positioned directly onthe deck. Center support 36 preferably aligns with rail cap 27 to form asingle shelf spanning the entire width of enclosure assembly 80.

[0036] In an alternate embodiment, left and right side panels 30, 48 canextend beyond the deck side edge of rail cap 27 as illustrated in FIG. 6in phantom by broken lines 89. In such an embodiment, bottom panel 33and roof panels 83, 84 should also extend beyond the deck side edge ofrail cap 27.

[0037] In yet another embodiment, openings 45, 51 may be positioned onthe rear edge of side panels 30, 48 with enclosure assembly 80 beinglocked in place by sliding the enclosure assembly 80 onto deck railing13, and thereafter attaching back wall 54.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 7, doors 91, 92 are attached to left and rightside panels 30, 48, respectively, using suitable connectors, forexample, hinges, a slider assembly, or similarly configured connectors.Rail mount brackets 95, 96 are likewise attached to left and right sidepanels 30, 48, respectively, using suitable fasteners. Such rail mountbrackets 95, 96 prevent enclosure assembly 80 from falling off deckrailing 13. In addition, to hold enclosure assembly 80 in place, a flatconnector plate 99 can be secured to the center support 36 and rail cap27. Alternatively, connector plate 99 can be secured to the bottom ofcenter support 36 and rail cap 27.

[0039] In an alternate embodiment, left and right side panels 30, 48extend beyond the deck side edge of the rail cap (as shown in phantom inFIG. 6). In this case, when doors 91, 92 are installed and in the closedposition, a vertical open space or gap remains between the doors andrail cap 27, which vertical open space preferably extends the entireheight of enclosure assembly 80. The open space enables long items, suchas brooms, shovels, and rakes to be stored in enclosure assembly 80. Insuch an embodiment, rail mount brackets 95, 96 (FIG. 7) should beincreased in their thickness dimension to fit in openings 45, 51 (FIGS.2a and 2 b) and to hold enclosure assembly 80 in place.

[0040] Rail cap trim pieces, indicated generally as 101 in FIG. 8, canbe added, as necessary to close remaining openings around the top rail16 and rail cap 27. Following installation of such trim pieces, caulk,or other suitable sealant can be applied to any joint openings thatmight remain.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 9, the bottom panel 33 is attached to bottomrail 19 or the deck, if there is no bottom rail, using short balusters,such as 104. Such short baluster 104 is sized to provide a uniformappearance in relation to the remaining full-length balusters 24. Shortbaluster 104 is attached to bottom panel 33 using an L-shaped bracket106 and suitable fasteners.

[0042]FIG. 10 shows a completed shed 10. After shed 10 has beeninstalled and secured to deck railing 13, additional partitions may beadded to the interior of shed 10, such as shelves 109, hooks 112, andcompartment 115. A plurality of shelf pinholes may be provided on theinterior surface of left and right side panels 30, 48 to permitinstallation of shelves 109 to a desired height. Compartment 115 can beplaced in either the top portion or bottom portion of the shed 10, asdesired. While not particularly shown in FIG. 10, other enhancements canbe added as well (e.g., drawers, compartments, pegboard, hangers, etc.),and the placement of such partitions as shown is for illustrationpurposes only, and should not be considered as restrictive in any way.For example, compartment 115 can be fitted with one or more slidingdrawers mounted on the interior of compartment 115, and/or one or moredrawers spanning a portion or the entirety of the width of enclosure 80may be provided between or in place of shelves 109. Likewise, a lock oftraditional construction may be added which, in combination with theabove-described structure of enclosure assembly 80, and by nature of itsattachment to a fixed, permanent structure such as a deck railing,provides enhanced security for the items stored within enclosureassembly 80.

[0043] The invention has been described with references to a preferredembodiment. While specific values, relationships, materials and stepshave been set forth for purposes of describing concepts of theinvention, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art thatnumerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention asshown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit orscope of the basic concepts and operating principles of the invention asbroadly described. It should be recognized that, in the light of theabove teachings, those skilled in the art can modify those specificswithout departing from the invention taught herein. Having now fully setforth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the conceptunderlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well ascertain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown anddescribed will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becomingfamiliar with such underlying concept. It is intended to include allsuch modifications, alternatives and other embodiments insofar as theycome within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof. Itshould be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practicedotherwise than as specifically set forth herein. Consequently, thepresent embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrativeand not restrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shed, comprising: a roof; a bottom wall; a backwall; a first and a second spaced-apart sidewall adapted to be mountedto a railing, wherein a. said back wall is connected to said first andsecond sidewalls at first and second longitudinal edges; b. said backwall and said first and second sidewalls are connected at a top end tosaid roof; and c. said back wall and said first and second sidewalls areconnected at a bottom end to said bottom wall; and at least one doorhingedly mounted to a forward edge of one of said first and secondsidewalls, wherein a. said door is selectively movable between a closedposition and an open position; and b. said door is positioned to enclosesaid railing within said shed when said door is in the closed position.2. The shed of claim 1, further comprising: a centrally located supportpanel having a first end, a second end, and a pair of side edges,wherein said first end of said support panel is connected to one of saidfirst and second sidewalls and said second end of said support panel isconnected to the remaining one of said first and second sidewalls; saidsupport panel is connected to said back wall along one of said sideedges; and said support panel is adapted for connection to said railingalong the other of said side edges.
 3. The shed of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one shelf disposed within said shed.
 4. The shed ofclaim 3, wherein said at least one shelf is adjustable.
 5. The shed ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one drawer disposed within saidshed.
 6. The shed of claim 1, wherein said first and second sidewallsfurther comprise: an elongated panel having an opening on a forward edgeof said panel, said opening being sized and configured so that saidpanel can be mounted on said railing.
 7. The shed of claim 6, whereinsaid panel can be mounted on said railing such that said railingintersects said panel substantially perpendicularly.
 8. The shed ofclaim 6, wherein said opening is adapted to engage a top rail and a railcap of said railing.
 9. The shed of claim 1, wherein said bottom wall isadapted for attachment to a bottom rail of said railing.
 10. The shed ofclaim 1, wherein said bottom wall is adapted for attachment to a deck towhich said railing is attached.
 11. The combination of a railing and ashed, said railing comprising a top rail and rail cap, said shedcomprising: a roof; a bottom wall; a back wall; a first and a secondspaced-apart sidewall, wherein a. said back wall is connected to saidfirst and second sidewalls at first and second longitudinal edges; b.said back wall and said first and second sidewalls are connected at atop end to said roof; and c. said back wall and said first and secondsidewalls are connected at a bottom end to said bottom wall; and atleast one door hingedly mounted to a forward edge of one of said firstand second sidewalls, wherein a. said door is selectively movablebetween a closed position and an open position; and b. said doorencloses said railing within said shed when said door is in the closedposition.
 12. The combination of claim 11, said first and secondsidewalls further comprising: an opening on said forward edge of saidfirst and second sidewalls, said opening being sized and configured sothat said first and second sidewalls can be mounted on said railing suchthat said railing intersects said first and second sidewallssubstantially perpendicularly.
 13. The combination of claim 12, saidopening on said forward edge of said first and second sidewalls engagingsaid top rail and rail cap of said railing.
 14. The combination of claim11, further comprising: a centrally located support panel having a firstend, a second end, and a pair of side edges, wherein said first end ofsaid support panel is connected to one of said first and secondsidewalls and said second end of said support panel is connected to theremaining one of said first and second sidewalls; said support panel isconnected to said back wall along one of said side edges; and saidsupport panel is connected to said railing along the other of said sideedges. 15 The combination of claim 11, said railing further comprising abottom rail, wherein said bottom wall is attached to said bottom rail.16. The combination of claim 11, wherein said railing is attached to adeck, and wherein said bottom wall is attached to said deck.
 17. Thecombination of claim 11, further comprising at least one shelf disposedwithin said shed.
 18. The combination of claim 17, wherein said at leastone shelf is adjustable.
 19. The combination of claim 11, furthercomprising at least one drawer disposed within said shed.
 20. A methodfor mounting a shed on a railing comprising a top rail and a rail cap,said method comprising the steps of: a. providing a shed comprising aroof, a bottom wall, a back wall, and a first and a second spaced-apartsidewall, said first and second sidewalls further comprising: an openingon a forward edge of said first and second sidewalls, said opening beingsized and configured so that said first and second sidewalls can bemounted on said railing; b. fitting said shed onto said railing, suchthat said top rail and rail cap engage the openings in said first andsecond sidewalls; c. attaching said shed to said railing; and d.hingedly mounting at least one door to said forward edge of one of saidfirst and second sidewalls, wherein i. said door is selectively movablebetween a closed position and an open position; and ii. said doorencloses said railing within said shed when said door is in the closedposition.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein said first and secondsidewalls can be mounted on said railing such that said railingintersects said first and second sidewalls substantiallyperpendicularly.
 22. The method of claim 20, said railing furthercomprising a bottom rail, said method further comprising the step of: e.attaching said bottom wall to said bottom rail.
 23. The method of claim20, wherein said railing is attached to a deck, said method furthercomprising the step of: e. attaching said bottom wall to said deck. 24.The method of claim 20, said shed further comprising a centrally locatedsupport panel having a first end, a second end, and a pair of sideedges, wherein said first end of said support panel is connected to oneof said first and second sidewalls and said second end of said supportpanel is connected to the remaining one of said first and secondsidewalls; and said support panel is connected to said back wall alongone of said side edges; said method further comprising the step of: f.attaching said support panel to said railing along the other of saidside edges of said support panel.